Sutherland
recording clocks



p 19, 1967 s. SUTHERLAND 3,342,956

RECORDING CLOCKS Filed 001;. 23, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4 39 33 H G 3 3?3 INVENTOR 5a 55 53 7 S ur eon Sutherland 56 xwfl p q Kr! 11/11/1111? 10ATTORNEYS 3,342,956 Patented Sept. 19, 1967 3,342,956 RECORDING CLOCKSSpurgeon Sutherland, 2113 Marilyn Lane, Arlington, Tex. 76010 Filed Oct.23, 1965, Ser. No. 503,462 9 Claims. (Cl. 20038) This invention relatesto new and useful improvements in recording clocks.

There are presently in existence time clock units in the use of whichemployees are not required to go to the time clock itself, but, instead,may punch themselves in and out at remote stations. Each employee isprovided with an individually coded key or similar device, and punchingin and punching out stations are located at a number of localitiesthroughout a plant or factory, the number of stations varying, ofcourse, with the size of the plant. Each station is provided with apunch-in keyhole and a punch-out keyhole, and to punch in an employeemerely inserts his individual key in the punch-in hole and to punch out,the key is inserted in the punchout keyhole. The unit functions to senda coded signal to a central timekeeping assembly which notes theidentity of the employee from the coded signal and places thisinformation on a punch tape, magnetic tape or the like. It is alsonecessary that the system record on the tape by punching or otherwisethe day and time the employee punches in and the day and time theemployee punches out. The present invention is directed to a clock whichfurnishes such time information as an electrically coded signal whichcan be recorded on the tape, the signal being delivered each time anemployee punches in or punches out.

It is, therefore, the principal object of this invention to provide animproved recording clock which functions in a unique manner to deliverelectrically coded day and time information suitable for utilization torecord upon tape the working times of any number of employees.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved recordingclock having unique means for opening and closing a plurality ofswitches to provide a coded electric signal.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved recordingclock which is very simple and durable in structure with a minimum ofshafts and other parts, in which the day, hour and minute are indicatedby coded drums, there also being a drum for indicating time in seconds,all of the drums being of the same diameter and being rotatably mountedon a single fixed shaft.

Other and more particular objects will be apparent from a reading of thefollowing description.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a recording clock made inaccordance with this invention, the coding dimples of the drums beingomitted,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the clock,

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the clock, partly broken away toshow one of the driving pinions and the coding dim-ples being omittedfrom the drums,

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are vertical, cross-sectional views taken upon therespective lines of FIG. 1, the driving gears for the drums beingindicated by broken lines,

FIG. 7 is a view of the coded surface of the day drum unrolled into asingle plane,

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the coded surface of the hourdrum,

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the total surface of theminute drum,

FIG. 10 is a similar view to FIG. 7, showing the coded surface of thesecond drum,

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, vertical, enlarged, cross-sectional view takenupon the line 11-11 of FIG. 2 and showing the switch actuating means,and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11, taken upon the line 1212 of FIG. 2and showing the detent structure.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates a top plate which has itsupper surface covered by a layer 11 of dielectric or electricallynon-conductive material. A vertical, rectangular end bearing plate 12depends from one end of the top plate 10, being secured thereto bysuitable bolts or screws 13, and adjacent the opposite end of the topplate, a vertical, rectangular motor mounting plate 14 also depends fromthe top plate in parallel relationship to the bearing plate 12 and beingsuitably secured to the top plate by screws or bolts 15. A fixedhorizontal drum shaft 16 has its ends secured in the plates 12 and 14and is spaced downwardly from the top plate 10 in parallel relationshiptherewith and toward the forward edge of the top plate. A secondhorizontal shaft 17 is spaced rearwardly of and parallel to the shaft 16beneath the top plate and also has its ends fixed in the end plates 12and 14.

A driving motor 18 is mounted upon the outer face of the plate 14together with the usual condenser 19 normally associated with suchmotors. The motor 18 is desirably of a low voltage type, but may be anysuitable type of small electric motor designed for constant operationand the delivery of a relatively low torque. Through a speed reducinggear box 20, the motor drives a small pinion or gear wheel 21 at a speedof one revolution per minute, the pinion 21 being disposed on the innerside of the plate 14 and meshing with a similar pinion or gear wheel 22mounted on the shaft 16.

The pinion 22 is secured to and drives a second drum 23 rotatablymounted on the shaft 16 and carrying a circumferential annulus ofindicia 24, extending, as shown in FIG. 10, from 0 to 59 for indicatingthe passage of time in seconds. The second drum 23 also carries on itsperiphery and spaced laterally of the indicia 24 a short groove orindentation 25 which may be of such length as to extend overapproximately the length of five seconds as measured against the indicia24 and the circumference of the drum 23.

On its face opposite the pinion 22, the second drum 23 carries a cammember 26 extending diametrically of the drum 23 and having a ratchetengaging finger 27 projecting radially outwardly but spaced slightlyinwardly from the outer periphery of the drum 23. A ratchet wheel 28 isrotatably mounted on the shaft 17 and is of such diameter as to beengaged by the finger 27, and as will be seen more fully hereinafter,the ratchet wheel 28 is revolved and advanced the width of one tootheach time the drum 23 makes one complete revolution.

A gear wheel 29 is carried by the ratchet wheel 28 and revolvestherewith, the gear wheel 29 meshing with a larger gear wheel 30rotatably mounted on the shaft 16 and secured to one face of a minutedrum 31. The minute drum 31 also carries an annulus of time indicatingindicia 32 for indicating minutes, this annulus being disposed adjacentone end of the drum 31 and, as shown in FIG. 9, extending from 0 to 59corresponding to each of the minutes in an hour.

Each complete revolution of the second wheel 23 corresponds to thepassage of one minute, and the relative diameters of the ratchet wheel28, the gear wheel 29 and the gear wheel 30 are such that each fullrevolution of the second wheel 23 results in the advancement of theminute drum 31 one space or to the next succeeding minute as shown bythe indicia 32.

The minute drum 31 carries on its face opposite the gear wheel 30 a cammember 33, similar to the cam member 26, and having on its end a ratchetengaging finger 34. The finger 34 is adapted to engage and revolve aratchet wheel 35 rotatably mounted on the shaft 17 and carrying a gearwheel 36 which meshes with a gear wheel 37 rotatably mounted upon theshaft 16 and secured to one end face of an hour indicating drum 38 alsorotatable upon the shaft 16.

The hour drum 38 is provided with an annulus of hour indicating indicia39 extending circumferentially of the drum adjacent one end face thereofand running from to 23, as shown in FIG. 8. Here again, the relativediameters of the ratchet wheel 35 and the gears 36 and 37 are such thatfor each complete revolution of the minute drum 31, the hour drum 38 isadvanced one space between successive hours as indicated on the annulus39.

On its end face opposite the gear wheel 37, the hour drum 38 carries acam member 40 similar to the cam members 26 and 33 which functions torevolve a ratchet wheel 40 rotatably mounted upon the shaft 17 andcarrying a gear wheel 42. The gear wheel 42 meshes with a gear wheel 43rotatably mounted on the shaft 16 and secured to one end face of a daydrum 44 also rotatably mounted on the shaft 16. The day drum 44 isprovided with an annulus 45 extending circumferentially thereaboutadjacent one end face of the drum and displaying indications of the daysof the week. In order that all of the drums may be of the same diameter,for reasons explained hereinafter, the indicia 45 covers the days offour successive weeks, as shown in FIG. 7. Here again, the proportionsof the driving means for the day drum is such that it is advanced oneday for each complete revolution of the hour drum 38.

Summing up the operation of the structure thus far described, the motor18 drives the second drum 23 to cause it to make one revolution perminute, the second drum drives the minute drum 31 to advance it oneminute for each full revolution of the second drum, and the minute drum31 drives the hour drum 38 to advance it one hour for each completerevolution of the minute drum. Further, the hour drum 38 drives the daydrum 34 to advance it one day for each complete revolution of the hourdrum. In order that the day and the date may be visually observed, thereis mounted across the front of the clock between the end plates 12 and14 a bar 46 of a transparent material such as a transparent syntheticresin, the rearward face of the bar 46 being coated with an opoquematerial in which there are provided apertures 47 through which theindicia of the several drums may be observed, as shown in FIG. 3.

On the upper surface of the top plate 10, overlying the insulating layer11, there is provided printed circuitry including power leads 48 for themotor 18, a power lead 49 leading to a bus bar or strip 50 extendingparallel to but slightly forward of the shaft 16. An elongate retainingstrap 51, formed of an electrically non-conductive material, overliesthe bus bar 50 and clamps the same to the upper surface of the top plate10.

As previously noted, the second drum 23 revolves constantly and at auniform speed Whereas the minute drum, the hour drum 38 and the day drum44 revolve intermittently in stepwise fashion as the minutes, hours anddays elapse. In order to make certain that the latter three drums areadvanced in a uniform fashion and in equal increments, as well as toensure that they remain in their advanced positions until the nextadvance occurs, each is provided in its peripheral surface with anannulus of dimples or depressions cooperating with detents to accomplishthe foregoing purposes. Thus, the minute drum 31 carries a peripheralannulus of dimples or depressions 52, one being alined with each of theminute indicia 32, and the top plate 10 has a vertical opening 53overlying the annulus of dimples 52 and positioned at top dead centerover the minute drum 31. A spring metal tab or detent member 54 projectsfrom the bus bar 50 forwardly over the opening 53 and has a centrallydepressed portion 55 extending downwardly into the opening. A ball 56,formed of electrically non-conductive material, is confined between theportion 55 and the periphery of the minute drum 31 so that when one ofthe dimples 52 comes into alinement with the opening 53, the ball 56will be forced downwardly by the spring tab 54 into the dimple, thusholding the minute drum against inadvertent rotation and making certainthat the remaining coding dimples of the drum will be properly alinedfor sending the coded time signal. Similarly, the hour drum carries onits periphery an annulus of dimples or recesses 57 alined with the hourindicating indicia 39 and coacting with a spring detent finger 58 on thebus bar for similar operation. The day drum 44 has a peripheral annulusof depressions or dimples 59 alined with the indicated days of the weekand functioning in conjunction with a detent finger 60 extending fromthe bus bar to position the day drum accurately. Of course, assubsequent rotation of the several drums takes place, the spring detentfingers will yield sufficiently to permit the advancement of the drumsthrough one space.

The minute drum also carries additional annuli of dimples or depressions61, 62, 63 and 64 spaced axially on the periphery of the drum andarranged in ten coded groups corresponding individually to the tensix-minute periods of an hour. This arrangement is utilized because thedevice in which this clock is used is primarily a payroll machine, andpayrolls are conventionally calculated on the basis of tenths of a workhour.

The hour drum, in addition to the annulus of dimples 57, carries sevenadditional annuli of dimples or depressions, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, and 71.Various ones of the latter depressions are arranged into 24 codedpatterns, each corresponding to one hour of the day and night and eachbeing different and distinctive from the other 23 patterns.

The day drum 44, in addition to its annulus of dimples 59, carries threeaxially spaced annuli of additional dimples or depressions, 72, 73 and74, positioned in four identical groups of seven different and distinctcoding patterns corresponding to the seven days of the week. Aspreviously noted, the day drum 44 undergoes a complete revolution onlyonce every four weeks.

It is noted that all of the dimples or depressions are alined axially intheir coding groups and are also alined with the indicia 32, 39 and 45,respectively.

The top plate 10 is provided with a plurality of vertical openings 75,each alined with one of the annuli of coding dimples on the time drumsand one being provided for each of said annuli. An electricallynon-conductive ball 76 is positioned in each of the openings 75 whichare located at the top dead centers of the several drums, the ballsbeing confined between the periphery of the drums and the armature arms77 of leaf-type spring switches projecting from the bus bar 50 over eachof the openings 75. A printed circuit conductor 78 extends from a pointspaced from the opening 75 but underlying the armatures 77 over theinsulating layer 11 to a multiple-pronged connector jack 79. The powersupply conductors 48 and 49 are also connected into this jack.

It will be seen that as the time drums advance, selected ones of thecoding dimples on the periphery thereof will come into registry with theopenings 75, permitting the balls 76 to move into the dimples and thearmatures 77 to move downwardly into engagement with the condum tors 78to close a circuit. In this manner, dependent upon which circuits areclosed, signals are provided to the timekeeping device indicating theday, hour and minute, or rather, a particular group of six minutes. Thetime-keeping device receives this signal only when an employee ispunching in or punching out, and his identity, together with the timeand whether he is punching in or punching out, is automatically recordedon the tape of the timekeeping device.

It is also desirable that there be furnished to the timekeeping device asignal every six minutes to indicate the passage of successive tenths ofan hour, and for this purpose, the minute drum 31 has yet anotherannulus of dimples or depressions 80 spaced uniformly about itsperiphery at six minute intervals. The top plate carries a spring switch81 identical in structure to those previously described alined with theannulus of depressions 80, and an identical spring switch 82 alined withthe path of travel of the groove 25 of the second drum 23. These twoswitches are connected through a short bus bar 83 also clamped to theupper surface of the top plate 10 by the strap 51 but electricallyisolated from the bus bar 50.

Each time the second drum 23 makes a complete revolution, the groove 25will cause the closing of the switch 82 for approximately five seconds,but no circuit will be closed because the switch 81 will be open. Theswitch 81 is closed once every six minutes, and when the switch 82closes for five seconds at this time, a circuit will be completed toprovide a signal to the time-keeping machine that a six-minute periodhas elapsed.

It is pointed out that all of the drums are of equal diameter and arerotatably positioned in axial alinement on the single fixed shaft 16.The gear wheel and ratchet assemblies are also axially alined and arerotatably mounted upon the single fixed shaft 17. Thus, the structure ofthe clock is maintained very simple, durable and free from likelihood ofmalfunction. Having all of the drums of equal diameter facilitates thevisual observance of the day and time through the apertures 47 and alsogreatly simplifies the gearing and shafting, which would becomeexceedingly complex if drums of different diameters were employed.

The functioning of the recording clock is believed clear and obviousfrom the foregoing description, the remote stations indicating to thetime-keeping device which individual employee is punching in or punchingout and the recording clock furnishing at the same time coded signalsindicating the day, hour and minute, the code dilfering for each day,each hour, and each group of six minutes in accordance with thepositioning of the coding dimples and the corresponding codingdilference in which of the switches of each drum are closed or opened.

The second drum 23 cannot be manually revolved due to its directconnection with the gear train 20, but the other three drums may readilybe revolved manually in either direction to set the proper day, hour andminute, such rotation being limited only by the point at which itsratchet wheel comes into engagement with the finger of its correspondingcam.

The coded time signals furnished by the recording clock to thetime-keeping device may be utilized in various fashions in addition tothat described hereinbefore. As a different mode of operation, and undersome conditions or circumstances, a preferable mode of operation, is forthe recording clock to furnish a time signal to the time-keeping deviceonly once every six minutes instead of each time an employee punches inor punches out. The punching in or punching out of the individualemployees is recorded as previously described, but these indicationswill merely come between successive ones of the time signals which arerecorded every six minutes, thus simplifying to some extent thesubsequent decoding of the recording tape for payroll purposes.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof andvarious changes in the size, shape and materials, as Wellas in thedetails of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A recording clock including a driving motor, a second indicating drumconstantly driven by the motor, a minute indicating drum, means fordriving the minute drum intermittently by the second drum, an hourindicating drum, means for driving the hour drum intermittently by theminute drum, a clay indicating drum, means for driving the day drumintermittently by the hour drum, the several drums having a second,minute, hour and day indicating indicia thereon, the day drum, hour drumand minute drum having annuli of spaced depressions extendingcircumferentially around their outer surfaces, spring switches overlyingthe annuli, and balls confined between the spring switches and the outersurfaces of the drums, the balls being adapted to move into thedepressions to permit the switches to close.

2. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein the balls areelectrically non conductive.

3. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 and a detent overlying oneannulus of depressions of each the day drum, the hour drum and theminute drum to hold the drums against movement between theirintermittent driven movements.

4. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein the depressions ofthe day drum, the hour drum and the minute drum are arranged in codedgroups to close selected ones of the switches and thereby provide codedsignals indicating the day, hour and minute.

5. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second drum hasa groove in its outer periphery, a spring switch overlying the annularpath traced by the groove as the second drum revolves, and a ballconfined between the spring switch and the periphery of the second drumadapted to move into the groove to close said switch for a predeterminedperiod of time on each revolution of the second drum.

6. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein one annulus ofdepressions of the minute drum is arranged to close one of the switchesevery six minutes.

7. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second drum hasa groove in its outer periphery, a spring switch overlying the annularpath traced by the groove as the second drum revolves, and a ballconfined between the spring switch and the periphery of the second drumadapted to move into the groove to close said switch for a predeterminedperiod of time on each revolution of the second drum, one annulus ofdepressions of the minute drum being arranged to close one of theswitches every six minutes, the said switch of the second drum being inseries with that switch of the minute drum which closes every sixminutes.

8. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein all the drums areof equal diameter and are rotatably mounted in axial alinement on asingle fixed shaft.

9. A recording clock as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means fordriving the minute drum, the hour drum and the day drum all includeratchet wheels and gear wheels, the ratchet wheels and gear wheels beingrotatably mounted in axial alinement on a single fixed shaft.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,536,506 1/1951 Kleber 307-1413,198,967 8/1965 Roberts 307--141.4 3,205,651 9/1965 Stifiler 20038FOREIGN PATENTS 725,280 1/ 1966 Canada.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

H. B. GILSON, Assistant Examiner.

1. A RECORDING CLOCK INCLUDING A DRIVING MOTOR, A SECOND INDICATING DRUMCONSTANTLY DRIVE BY THE MOTOR, A MINUTE INDICATING DRUM, MEANS FORDRIVING THE MINUTE DRUM INTERMITTENTLY BY THE SECOND DRUM, AN HOURINDICATING DRUM, MEANS FOR DRIVING THE HOUR DRUM INTERMITTENTLY BY THEMINUTE DRUM, A DAY INDICATING DRUM, MEANS FOR DRIVING THE DAY DRUMINTERMITTENTLY BY THE HOUR DRUM, THE SEVERAL DRUMS HAVING A SECOND,MINUTE, HOUR AND DAY INDICATING INDICIA THEREON, THE DAY DRUM, HOUR DRUMAND MINUTE DRUM HAVING ANNULI OF SPACED DEPRESSIONS EXTENDINGCIRCUMFERENTIALLY AROUND THEIR OUTER SURFACES, SPRING SWITCHES OVERLYINGTHE ANNULI, AND BALLS CONFINED BETWEEN THE SPRING SWITCHES AND THE OUTERSURFACES OF THE DRUMS, THE BALLS BEING ADAPTED TO MOVE INTO THEDEPRESSIONS TO PERMIT THE SWITCHES TO CLOSE.